Red Cross announces blood drive dates

The Ohio River Valley American Red Cross (ORVARC), Executive Director Debbie Smith, said the blood drives are vitally important, and is hopeful for community support to meet the need.

“Blood drives are always extremely important, because each blood drive can save up to three lives,” Smith said. “So it makes a big difference when someone gives, and donates blood. She said the O blood type is always in demand, because of it’s versatility, being a blood type that anyone can use.”

Red Cross blood drives can open up scholarship opportunities for students.

“Another thing that people probably don’t realize, is that the local blood drives are also used to help students earn scholarships,” she said. “So, that is another great fact, because I am sure there are a lot of school drives. It is all based upon how many donations are collected at the drive. They usually have this in the school, some of the students maybe that help to encourage people to donate, so those people are a part of what we call our Red, White and Youth that participate and are volunteers for the Red Cross. So that is a way that they can earn scholarships too, plus help to save a life.”

She said they have record number of students involved in the drives this year.

“This year we have 120 local students in Scioto County participating in Red White and Youth, and that is definitely a record for us,” she said. “I think the highest number that we had prior to this year was just 70, but we have 120 students involved this year, and we are really excited about that.”